2018 Marijuana Packaging Laws Update

The Constitution State had followed the rest of the country for the 20th century and kept cannabis criminalized, but they were one of the first states to decriminalize cannabis in 2011. By “decriminalize,” Connecticut (and other states) usually mean that possession of a small amount of cannabis, usually under an ounce, will only be punished with a small fine instead of criminal charges. In a statement following the vote, said in an official statement, ““There is no question that the state’s criminal justice resources could be more effectively utilized for convicting, incarcerating and supervising violent and more serious offenders.”

Only a year later, the Connecticut Senate decided that they would allow marijuana for medical use and the then-governor Malloy signed the medical marijuana bill, Connecticut Public Act 12-55, An Act Concerning the Palliative Use of Marijuana. These new laws empowered the Connecticut Medical Marijuana Program to see that patients with certain medical conditions could safely use cannabis to find relief. Their program focuses on licensing for patients and physicians, and the state will oversee the dispensing and cultivation of medical cannabis.

The program is overseen by the Connecticut State Department of Consumer Protection, and its rules and regulations are designed to protect not only consumers, but physicians and medical cannabis business owners as well. Like many other states that have legalized cannabis, the Constitution State requires everyone involved in medical marijuana to be licensed, including patients, physicians, caregivers, cultivators, and dispensaries.

2017 Marijuana Packaging Laws Update

Connecticut medical marijuana packaging and labeling laws treat the products like other medications by requiring detailed labeling, including the amounts of active ingredients in milligram form. Medical cannabis products in Connecticut are also treated somewhat like food in that they are required to go through testing for contaminants, heavy metals, or other harmful chemicals. They also refer back to their medical marijuana registration laws because each package must be labeled with the exact brand name that was registered with the CT Department of Consumer Protection.